This painkiller is natural and it is probably growing in your backyard!

Pain is not fun for anyone. Treating pain with drugs has created a massive opiate dependency epidemic in our society.

The epidemic has gotten so bad that people in the medical field often view many of those in real pain as “seekers”. Instead of getting the relief needed, people are getting turned away. As a result, people are seeking relief illegally and pain clinics, and rehabs are beginning to pop up all over, trying to combat the addiction.

Wild Lettuce

Lactuca Virosa is the scientific term for wild lettuce. Many people have used it in place of addictive prescription pain medication. It is a tall, leafy plant with small yellow buds. Commonly found in North America and England, it is a cousin to the lettuce we typically see in our salads. It is also referred to as bitter lettuce and opium lettuce.

The reason it can sometimes be referred to as opium lettuce is because its pain relieving and sedative effects are produced through a white substance that is found in the stem and leaves.

History

In the 19th century, wild lettuce was used as a substitute to opium. It began to become popular again in the 70s when people were looking for a more natural remedy to pain. People were beginning to use it for both relief and for recreational purposes.

In the earlier days, people used wild lettuce by preparing it a few different ways.

People used to cook the plant in a pan of water and sugar mix, until it reduced to a thick syrup-like consistency. This form of preparation is very bitter, even with sugar added. The most common form, was drying the stem and leaves to use as an herbal tea.

Today, the tea remains popular. People nowadays also enjoy smoking, or vaporizing it. If you do not want to grow it yourself, you can also purchase it as a dried herb, extract, or resin substance.

Other Benefits

Migraines: People who use it for this claim they experience fewer migraines than they did before starting to use the herb.

Anxiety: Wild lettuce can act as a mild sedative, allowing people with anxiety to find calm.

Asthma and Cough: Wild lettuce has antitussive properties, and these can alleviate or suppress coughs. also, asthmatic patients who have used opiates notice more episodes during opiate withdrawal. The use of wild lettuce instead of prescribed opiates could be a better option.

In addition to all of the above benefits, wild lettuce produces a euphoric state, similar to opiates, even though it does not contain any opiates. It is also perfectly legal.

Ariana Marisol is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. She is an avid nature enthusiast, gardener, photographer, writer, hiker, dreamer, and lover of all things sustainable, wild, and free. Ariana strives to bring people closer to their true source, Mother Nature. She graduated The Evergreen State College with an undergraduate degree focusing on Sustainable Design and Environmental Science.